Bloomington South senior Anson Reynolds received one of MCCSC’s two 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship awards. Reynolds described where she’d like to attend college and what she plans to accomplish: “I’d like to go to IU and be a consultant for a non-profit. Specifically, I’d like to work with access to education whether that’s working with extracurricular activities or working internationally.” Reynolds said that she is prepared and possesses the necessary tools to succeed in her area. 

Additionally, Reynolds recently discovered that she is a finalist for the Wells Scholar Program. The Wells Scholar Program provides the full cost of attendance for four years of undergraduate study on Indiana University’s campus. “It feels insane, and I’m really excited, because IU is such a big school, and it’s exciting to have a group of people around me that enjoy what they’re learning.”

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program is a state-wide establishment that helps raise the level of educational achievements in Indiana and encourages scholars to further engage with their communities. Additionally, the scholarship allows recipients to attend higher education institutions and pursue careers in Indiana. 

Every year, 143 scholarships are awarded annually. The recipients of the award are provided with full tuition at any public or private Indiana four-year college or university recognized by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC). All applicants must have obtained a high school diploma from an Indiana high school and must be a current resident of the state of Indiana.

Reynolds described the scholarship process and provided additional insight regarding expectations, “Starting in August, all seniors in Monroe County are invited to present current/previous extracurricular activities, one essay, and grade point average.” She then stated the committee hosts two additional meetings, where semifinalists are officially selected. These semi-finalists are required to submit another essay.

 After this process, the committee selects 10 finalists and conducts interviews with each. Reynolds also provided advice for potential Lilly hopefuls, “Find an area that you’re passionate about, and invest your time there.” She also recommended community involvement for those interested in applying for the scholarship.